Ready to know more about San Diego?

Subscribe

Very Important Taco: The Chapulines Taco from Aqui es Texcoco

An off-menu grasshopper taco worth chirping about

By Sarah Pfledderer

Chula Vista’s cult favorite Aqui es Texcoco is famous for their incredible slow-cooked lamb barbacoa, but they’ve got an off-menu grasshopper taco that’s worth chirping about.

First-time insect eaters, be assured, there’s no need to bug out over chapulines. They’ve been considered a Mexican delicacy since the 16th century, sold by the scoop as a sustainable source of protein. Texcoco imports them from Mexico and pan-fries them with lime juice, chiles, and garlic.

The crispy-crunchy chapulines end up tasting remarkably like bacon, and are served plain atop a corn tortilla. Dress them up with chopped onion and cilantro, more squirts of lime, and a drizzle of chile pasilla sauce—or tomatillo for a kick—and munch on the not-too-filling taco, leaving plenty of room for barbacoa.

Craving more crunch? You can order a side of chapulines with avocado.

1043 Broadway, Chula Vista aquiestexcoco

Very Important Taco: The Chapulines Taco from Aqui es Texcoco

Share this post

Subscribe to our newsletters

Select Options

By subscribing you confirm that you agree with our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Eat Like a Local (Who Knows a Guy).

Restaurant news, culinary storytelling, and Troy Johnson’s sharp takes delivered straight to your inbox twice a month.

Close the CTA

Contact Us

1230 Columbia Street, Suite 800,

San Diego, CA